[Respiratory and hemodynamic changes in patients with craniocerebral injuries]

The interaction of ventilation and hemodynamics in the posttraumatic period has been studied in 131 patients with severe craniocerebral trauma. Indexes of respiratory function, central and pulmonary hemodynamics were determined over the first week and on days 10, 14, 21 and 28 after trauma. The data obtained have shown that respiratory function and circulation damages during brain trauma are predetermined by the reduction in pulmonary volume and capacity, impaired alveolar ventilation and bronchial patency, followed by development of atelectasis of the lungs and pulmonary shunt. Patients with severe brain injury more often develop bronchospasm and disorders of central and pulmonary hemodynamics, as compared to patients with moderate injury.